White House

US President Trump pardons Blackwater guards

UN experts criticise US President Trump’s pardons for Blackwater guards convicted in 2015 for war crimes and jailed over Iraq killings. Five independent UN experts condemned United States President Donald Trump’s pardoning of private security contractors, convicted in 2015 for war crimes in Iraq, on Wednesday.

An ‘affront to justice’

The four Blackwater Worldwide contractors were prosecuted and found guilty of multiple criminal acts committed during a 2007 massacre at Nisour Square in Baghdad, which left 14 unarmed civilians dead and at least 17 wounded “Pardoning the Blackwater contractors is an affront to justice and to the victims of the Nisour Square massacre and their families,” said Jelena Aparac, Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries.

UN experts criticise US President Trump

Undermining humanitarian law

The Geneva Conventions “oblige States to hold war criminals accountable” even when acting “as private security contractors”, the UN experts said, reminding that the men were legally tried and convicted for the crimes. 

In 2015 the US courts found Nicholas Slatten guilty of first-degree murder, while Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard were convicted of voluntary and attempted manslaughter.

President Trump pardoned all four on 22 December.

“These pardons violate US obligations under international law and more broadly undermine humanitarian law and human rights at a global level”, stressed Ms. Aparac on behalf of the group.

“Ensuring accountability for such crimes is fundamental to humanity and to the community of nations,” she added. 

Opening dangerous doors

The UN experts upheld that pardons, amnesties, or any other forms of exculpation for war crimes “open doors to future abuses” when States contract private military and security companies for inherent State functions.

Moreover, the Working Group – also comprised of Lilian Bobea, Chris Kwaja, Ravindran Daniel and Sorcha MacLeod – expressed extreme concern that by permitting private security contractors to operate with impunity in armed conflicts, States would be encouraged to circumvent their humanitarian law obligations by outsourcing core military operations to the private sector.

Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

eudebates US President Trump pardoning

EUdebates Team

SHARE your ideas online and JOIN us for a better Europe. eudebates! Your opinion counts! eudebates.tv The unique initiative aiming to promote debate, dialogue, knowledge, participation and communication among citizens.

Recent EU debates

Watch State of the Union live: Ursula von der Leyen gives 2022 address #SOTEU

President Ursula von der Leyen debates priorities ahead of hard winter at the State of the European Union #SOTEU at…

2 years ago

EU steps up solidarity with refugees fleeing Ukraine

More than two million refugees have now been forced to flee their homes in Ukraine to find safety in neighbouring…

2 years ago

REPowerEU to get rid of the dependencies of Russian fossil fuel

The European Commission proposed an outline of a plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030, starting with gas, in…

2 years ago

EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine

In response to Russian President Putin’s unprecedented and unprovoked military attack against Ukraine, the EU is responding by adopting a…

2 years ago

Finland: NATO membership ‘will change’ after Russian invasion

Finish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will change the debate around NATO membership within her country.…

2 years ago

EU responds to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with massive sanctions

EU leaders held a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General sending the message that the world can see that unity…

2 years ago

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.